It’s not Half a great run by Tewelde
ABRAHAM TEWELDE retained his Siglion Sunderland City Half Marathon title in 1hr 10min 13secs - a time just six seconds slower than his winning mark in 2017.
The Saltwell Harrier, having his first competitive race of the year, had to work hard to keep Gateshead’s Conrad Franks at bay - the Tynesider crossing the line in second place in 1:11:33, more than two minutes quicker than when he finished in the same position in 2016.
Birtley’s Darren Purvis (Birtley), who was making his debut in the event, completed the podium placings in 1:13.42.
Eleanor Hunt (unattached) won the women’s race in 1:23:28, with Isabel Steele, also unattached, finishing second in 1:23:49 and Alice Smith of Sunderland Harriers third in 1:25:52. In a record field of more than 2,500, the Siglion Sunderland City10k preceded the main event with a home victory recorded by Sunderland’s Andy Powell - who covered the tough circuit in 33min 03secs.
Liam Taylor, another Wearsider, finished in second place in 33:28 with Evenwood’s John Clifford completing the one-two-three in 33:11.
The women’s’ race was won by debutant Alex Sneddon (Jarrow and Hebburn), who ended up 15th overall, in 36:54.
Danielle Smythe (Heaton), the newly-crowned North East Counties 10,0000 metres champion, finishing runner-up in 37:57 and Stephanie Maclean Dann (North Shields Poly) was in third place in 39:29.
The theme for this year’s festival was #runwiththetide , as the city builds up to hosting the Tall Ships Races in July.
Among the competitors was a group of sail trainees who are preparing to join a crew on a tall ship and tackled the 10k as part of their training.
Event founder and race director Steve Cram said: “It has been a fantastic day for Sunderland.
“We have had a record number of participants who joined us to runwiththetide.
“There were great performances at the front of the Siglion Sunderland City Half Marathon and 10k and we also had loads of runners who pounded the streets to raise money for good causes. The weather behaved this year and brought out big crowds to cheer people on, creating a great atmosphere.
“Well done to everyone who took part and as ever, huge thanks to Siglion, Sunderland City Council and our other sponsors and to all of the wonderful volunteers who help make events like this possible.” LEADING RESULTS - Half-Marathon (men): 1 A Tewelde (Salt) 1:10:13; 2 C Franks (Gates) 1:11:33; 3 D Purvis (Birt) 1:13:42; 4 J McKenzie (Heat) 1:15:17; 5 J Meader (Heat) 1:15:56; 6 M Anderson (SundStr) 1:16:55; 7 B Munro (Unatt) 1:16:57; 8 L Dover (Hough) 1:17:56; 9 C Jackson (Unatt) 1:18:23; 10 W Hogg (Unatt) 1:19:22. Women: 1 E Hunt (Unatt) 1:23:26; 2 I Steele (Unatt) 1:23:48; 3 A Smith (Sund) 1:25:50; 4 C Young (Clare) 1:28:29; 5C McManus (NSP) 1:28:58; 6 M Catterall (Unatt) 1:29:23; 7 J Hutchinson (Unatt) 1:29:07; 8 K Simpson (Gates) 1:31:27; 9 D Crozier (Unatt) 1:32:31; 10 J Riches (Unatt) 1:34:04. 10k (men): 1 A Powell (Sund) 33:03; 2 L Taylor (Unatt) 33:28; 3 J Clifford (Evenwd) 33:30; 4 I Ritchie (Sund) 33:46; 5 I Dixon (Sund) 34:15; 6 S Medd (Gates) 34:35; 7 C Gunn (Sund) 35:40; 8 P Robson (WearTri) 35:48; 9 E Landgrebe (Denmark) 35:54; 10 R Castledine (Morp) 36:22. Women: 1 A Sneddon (J&H) 36:54; 2 D Smythe (Heat) 37:56; 3 S Maclean Dann (NSP) 39:28; 4 J Etherington (Sund) 39:54.